Subaru Baja's A Two-faceted Vehicle

JIM MATEJA Test Drive

October 4, 2002|JIM MATEJA Test Drive

Deja vu all over again.

The Chevrolet El Camino and Ford Ranchero appeared in the '50s, later joined by the Dodge Rampage and Plymouth Scamp as well as a pickup version of the VW Rabbit in the '80s. All were cars minus rear seats and trunks to make room for pickup beds.

For 2003, Subaru introduced the 2003 Baja.

Baja offers features missing from its early car/truck predecessors, items that may have kept them around longer -- four doors, two rows of seats and full-time all-wheel-drive.

Baja is based on the Legacy sedan/Outback sport-utility/wagon platform. Upfront it's a compact Outback; in back it's a pickup with the addition of an abbreviated 41.5-inch bed.

Baja is for those who sometimes need a truck--at least one with a 41.5-inch cargo bed--without the ride, handling, mileage or size of a big pickup because it is based on a car platform.

The full-time AWD system transfers power to the wheels with the most traction and grip when traveling on slippery surfaces.

At acceleration, the system directs more power to the rear wheels to compensate for weight transfer.

Baja can tow up to 2,400 pounds and has 7.3 inches of ground clearance for off-road capability, though you'll probably want to limit off-road travels to unpaved roads rather than steep, uncharted mountain paths.

About 20,000 to 25,000 Bajas will be built annually at Subaru's joint-venture plant with Isuzu in Lafayette, Ind., where Legacy/Outback are produced.

Baja, along with an all-new Legacy/Outback in '05 and the joint-venture sport coupe, is being counted on to help Subaru realize its goal of selling 250,000 vehicles annually in the United States in '05, up from an expected record of 195,000 in '02 and the previous record of 186,000 in '01.